Govt must clamp down on unlicensed pet breeders, say MPs
MPs also called on the Government to launch a public information campaign to raise awareness of the harms of ‘designer’ pets and to discourage the trend
The government must clamp down on unregulated canine fertility clinics and unlicensed pet breeders, according to a report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee.
The report calls for a list of licensed breeders to be made public, and a change in the licensing regulations so as to include breeders of two or more litters a year.
The Committee’s pet welfare and abuse inquiry has exposed the major rise in canine fertility clinics, from under 40 in 2020, to over 400 in 2023.
The report stated that unscrupulous canine fertility clinics have benefitted from diffuse enforcement arrangements.
This allows them to operate without veterinary involvement, with surgical procedures, including caesarean sections, performed unlawfully by lay-persons.
MPs state that the existing £100 fine for illegal veterinary surgery, dating from the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, “is a derisory deterrent” and must be updated.
MPs also called on the Government to launch a public information campaign to raise awareness of the harms of ‘designer’ pets and to discourage the trend.
Sir Robert Goodwill, chair of the EFRA Committee, said: “As a nation of animal and pet lovers, we place a high importance on the welfare of animals. But some of the regulations that cover the breeding of pet dogs rely on legislation dating back to 1966 and the breeding of cats is almost completely unregulated.
“We are concerned about the huge rise in the number of canine fertility clinics and the lack of regulatory oversight of these clinics, which may employ unqualified staff to perform veterinary procedures, and which may encourage the breeding of dogs with extreme features and dogs bred for aggressive traits.”
Dr Samantha Butler-Davies MRCVS, head of Clinical Services at Pets at Home, added: “Pets at Home and Vets for Pets welcome today’s EFRA Committee report on Pet welfare and abuse and we strongly support the recommendations to tackle unlicensed and irresponsible breeding practices of dogs and cats.
“Robust education resources for prospective pet owners, to help them make welfare-first decisions, is paramount. As we advised when providing expert evidence to the Committee, our veterinary colleagues and partners see the impact of unlicensed fertility clinics as well as legal loopholes which allow importations of cats and dogs that have suffered cosmetic mutilations – such as cropped ears and claw removal – every day in their practices and more support must be made available.”
